Grave marker



B. R. DAVIS March 11, 1941.

GRAVE MARKER Filed March 1, 1940 INVENTOR.

2a 01 is,

Patented Mar. 11, 1941 OFFICE GRAVE MARKER Byron Ralph Davis, Dallas, Tex. Application March 1, 1940, Serial No. 321,774 I 2 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in grave markers for use in cemeteries or burial grounds for the identification of deceased persons.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a marker which is simple and inexpensive in construction and of neat and attractive appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grave marker embodying a stone of cast material in which is embedded and permanently held an identification frame or panel designed to contain sign means for identification of the person buried.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a marker of the character described having an identification panel or sign frame of novel type adapted to be anchored in a cast head stone and to receive and hold appropriate sign matter, the construction being such that the sign matter may be conveniently applied.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a grave marker embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the head stone and showing the identification panel applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an inverted perspective View of the panel frame.

Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views of sign plates or bars used in connection therewith.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I provide a grave marker comprising a stone I, preferably formed of cast material, which stone is provided with a sloping top surface 2.

Designed to be applied to the surface 2 of the stone is an identification panel or tablet 3 formed of sheet aluminum or other sheet metal. The

panel or tablet 3 comprises an inverted channeled frame of oblong rectangular form and consisting of a main plate 4 having a longitudinally extending opening 5 formed therein. This plate 8, as will be evident, is formed of a portion of the metal separated from the flange member I and bent outwardly at right angles thereto and so as to lie in the plane of the main plate 4. D

The construction described provides a channeled identification frame, panel or tablet having the flanges 6 and I which are adapted to be embedded in the surface 2 of the stone I while the material of the stone is still soft and has not appreciably hardened, so that upon the hardening of the stone material the panel will be permanently fixed thereto. The flanges 6 and 'l are designed to hold the plate 4 slightly elevated above the surface 2 of the stone I so that sign plates It] and II carrying the identification data may be properly applied and secured beneath the plate 4 and its extension 8 to display the identification data through the slots 5 and 9. Each of these plates l and H may be made of copper or other suitable material. The plate II] is designed to be disposed on the underside of the plate 4 in line with the slot 5, while the plate II is designed to underlie the plate extension 8 so as to be exposed through the slot 9. To the plate Ii] may be secured letters or a name plate [2 defining the name of the deceased, while to the plate I I may be secured number figures or number bearing plates 13 giving the date of birth and death of the deceased. These identification elements may be made of metal or other suitable material and secured to the plates l0 and H in any suitable manner. In the present instance they are indicated as being provided with tongues l4 to secure them in position to the plate Ill or plate ll, as the case may be. Screws or other fastening members l and It may be employed to secure the plates l0 and l I to the panel frame, whereby to hold the plates against displacement or shifting and to clamp the identification elements against the plate 4 and its extension 8.

By the construction described a marking stone is provided which has fixed thereto a frame of durable character and neat and attractive appearance, to which may be applied the necessary identification data at the time of use. Stones with the panels applied, as shown in Fig. 1, may be prepared and carried in stock by a dealer in such goods and the identification data prepared and readily applied at the time of use for identifying the grave of the individual. As the name plates Ill and II are of simple form and character, and as the identification letters or figures used in connection therewith may be assembled for use from stock letters or figures, identification plates carrying the necessary identification data may be readily prepared for use in a ready and easy manner and within a minimum period of time. Such markers, therefore, While of durable type and pleasing appearance, may be furnished at a Very low cost.

What I claim is:

1. A grave marker comprising a marker stone of precast material, a panel formed of an oblong rectangular frame plate provided along its longitudinal edges with flanges bent downward therefrom and embedded in a face of the stone and spacing the panel therefrom, and having projecting beyond one of said edges an extension plate, said frame plate and extension plate having slots therein, and sign plates adapted to be secured to the main and extension plates beneath the slots therein and to be disposed in the space between the panel and said face of the stone.

2. A grave marking panel comprising a frame formed of sheet metal and embodying an oblong rectangular main plate having a longitudinal slot therein, a downbent flange along one of the longitudinal margins of the main plate, downbent flanges along the other longitudinal margin of the main plate on opposite sides of its transverse center, an extension plate projecting outwardly beyond the latter-named longitudinal margin of the main plateand having a longitudinal slot therein, and sign plates adapted to be disposed beneath the main and extension plates and to be secured thereto to display identification data thereon through said slots.

BYRON RALPH DAVIS. 

